Ford Motor Company will add 4.5 million vehicles to the already-massive list of vehicles recalled because of a problem with the cruise control switch. According to Ford, the newest additions to the list are older-model vehicles that face the same problem as the rest of the vehicles on the recall list, which is a risk of fires due to a defective cruise control switch.
A Ford spokesman stated that 1.1 million of the recalled vehicles will be Ford Windstar minivans, which will be repaired due to the relatively small risk of fires. The rest of the 3.4 million vehicles will be …read more

Texting while driving has been a very popular topic in local and state governments over the last few months. Ford Motor Company is now chiming in by stressing how dangerous it is for people to drive when distracted. Ford specifically is pointing out the dangers when teens are distracted — such as when they are texting and driving.
According to Ford’s research, most accidents are caused by inattentive drivers and the rate is even higher with newer drivers. As a result, car crashes remain the number one killer of teenagers in the United States.
To fight the growing trend of distracted driving, …read more

While General Motors and Chrysler are both in the midst of bankruptcy and their futures are in doubt, Ford Motor Company has been relatively healthy. Over the weekend, Ford received honors from the Ideal Vehicle Awards.
The awards, which are based on research by AutoPacific, take into account what vehicle owners think of their automobiles.
Said George Peterson, AutoPacific’s President: “In today’s economy, car buyers take many factors into consideration – styling, safety features, fuel economy and more. IVA winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles.”
Ford won the award for the top-rated mainstream brand. It …read more

Ford Motor Company, the automaker based in the United States, has made almost $1.5 billion by selling 300 million shares. With a price tag of $4.75, Ford says that the money raised will help the company make the needed adjustments in its business model to once again be able to make a healthy profit.
Compared to the rest of the automakers in the United States, Ford has been a shining beacon of hope. While companies such as General Motors and Chrysler make headlines for the wrong reasons, Ford has been able to survive without any federal bailout money. Most industry experts …read more

On Friday, Ford reported a $1.4 billion ($0.60 a share) loss for first quarter 2009. The losses were less than expected and the company believes they will not need the same type of federal bailout that is currently keeping other automakers alive.
Ford’s revenue dropped 37% in the quarter to $24.8 billion. Vehicle sales in the United States dropped 43%.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally said the company will not need a federal bailout loan unless the economy takes a significant downturn, or an uncontrolled bankruptcy causes a disruption in the flow of parts from the company’s suppliers.
In December, Ford had asked the …read more

U.S. automakers are in trouble.  They…and the rest of us…have forgotten the basic principles of a master who taught them the basic principles of continual improvement:I’m talking about W. Edwards Deming.  Deming worked with the Japanese automakers after WW II and caught the eye of Ford Motor Company.  Today, it seems the automakers have forgotten these principles, which are related in his classic book with the appropriate title Out of the Crisis.  Small business owners too can benefit from a review of Deming’s principles.
Deming warned against the Seven Deadly Diseases (also known as the “Seven Wastes”):
1. Lack of constancy of …read more